18th Ranked Wildcats Sweep Herd Softball

The 18^th ranked Kentucky Wildcats (29-10) capitalized on 9 errors committed by the Thundering Herd (15-24) on Wednesday en route to a doubleheader sweep. 

In game one, the Wildcats built  a 5-1 lead before the Herd plated single runs in the bottom of the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th innings. However, while MU was plating singles, UK was able to post a 3 spot in the top of the 7^th inning thanks to a 3 run shot by Ellen Weaver who moonlighted on the mound in game one for the ‘Cats. 

Junior Alianna Telles and Sophomore Victoria Marvin led the way for the Thundering Herd collecting a combined 4 of Marshall’s 7 hits in the first contest.

In game 2, The Wildcats jumped out to an early 4-0 lead thanks in part to Rachel Riley’s two run homer in the top of the first. Marshall would scratch its way back into the contest and only trailed 5-3 heading into the 6^th inning before the Wildcats stiff armed the Herd once again.  Riley hit her second home run of the ballgame to lead off the top of the 6^th and then another run came home later in the inning to set the lead for the Wildcats at 7-3 going to the bottom of the 6^th. 

Taylor Thompson reached base to lead off the bottom of the 6^th for Marshall and she was sacrificed to second by Melissa Loesing. But from there the Herd could not advance Thompson any further and the inning ended. 

In the top of the 7^th, Kentucky’s Brittany Cervantes added insurance runs for the ‘Cats with a three run bomb to right center to extend the Big Blue lead to seven. Marshall was able to plate another run in the bottom of the 7^th but it was too little too late for the home team. 

Senior Melanie Stoehr was 3 for 4 in game 2 and drove in 2 runs to lead the way offensively for Marshall. In addition to hitting two home runs in game 2, Riley also picked up the W for the Wildcats. 

The Herd will now try to right the ship this weekend as it returns to Conference USA play in Orlando against the UCF Knights.